From Stephen Hesford MP:-

MOST households will now be ready for Christmas. I know ours is. Presents have been brought and the tree carefully selected (or brought down from the attic). Christmas actually began for me some weeks ago.

As people will, by now, know, I am very keen to visit as many of our local schools, groups and societies as I can. And one of the very many pleasures as an MP is attending the various fairs and the like which are organised locally.

All the hard work which goes into these events never ceases to amaze me. Recently, at one Christmas Fair I opened, I was introduced to Father Christmas in his grotto and had my picture taken with Santa's little helpers. At another I had to pick out 47 raffle tickets during the prize raffle.

Each event had a serious side. At one, money was being raised so that a local school could redecorate its school hall, and at the other, a cheque for over £1,500 was presented to Alder Hey Children's Hospital and £962 was raised towards providing pensioners with a Christmas party.

Christmas really did come early for me when, firstly, the Prime Minister invited myself and several other MPs to talk with him at Number 10 in the Cabinet room. It was a great boost for me to know that I can talk about matters of local concern in Wirral West at the highest levels. The PM still recalls with pleasure his visit to Arrowe Park Hospital in the run up to the last Election.

Secondly, shortly afterwards, one of my schoolboy dreams did come true. I was able to attend a reception where Pele was the guest of honour in his capacity as Brazilian Minister of Sport. He was very proud to have received an honorary Knighthood from the Queen the day before. (My two boys do not believe me; it's good to be brought back down to earth - just in time for Christmas.)

House of Commons

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